RP champs honored in Elorde rites March 25

Philippine champions in various divisions will be honored in the second Elorde Banquet of Champions — Annual Elorde Awards, the most prestigious award in professional boxing, in formal rites March 25 at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila.

Johnny Elorde, son of the the great Filipino world champion Flash Elorde, in whose memory the awards are given, said 18 Philippine champions will be feted during the Annual Elorde Awards, given for the second time after its launching last year.

The Philippine champions will receive their award from Vice President Teofisto Guingona, who has been invited by the Elorde clan to present the awards to Boxer of the Year Manny Pacquiao, 13 other international and world champions and all Philippine titleholders in 2001.

Four professional boxers kept their Philippine crown for 12 months while seven were unbeaten during the period of six months or more that they defended their title.

The champions who reigned from January to December are superbantamweight Dindo Olivetti, superfeatherweight champion Randy Suico, lightweight Dennis Laurente and superlightweight Dindo Castanares.

Those who held their crown for six months or more are Ernesto Rubillar (miniflyweight, Jan.-July), Jovan Presbitero (lightflyweight, Jan.-Oct.), Melvin Magramo (flyweight, Jan.-June and Dec.), Joel Avila (superflyweight, Jan.-Oct.), Abner Cordero (bantamweight, Jan.-July), Baby Lorona, Jr. (featherweight, Jan.-Nov.), Rey Pelonia (welterweight, April-Dec.) and Ernie Alesna (superwelterweight, June-Dec.)

The other awardees are miniflyweight Eriberto Yukka Gejon (Oct.-Dec.), lightflyweight Celso Danggod (Nov.-Dec.), flyweight Anthony Villamor (July- Nov.), bantamweight Jimrex Jaca (Oct. to Dec.), featherweight Samuel Duran (December) and welterweight Rev Santillan (January).

The Elorde Awards, which will coincide with the birth anniversary of Da Flash, will also honor the year’s best trainer, best judge, best referee, best matchmaker, best fight of the year, most popular and exciting fighter, as well as boxing personalities that have contributed to the development of professional boxing.